Events on the Island

March 27, 2013

The First Baptist Church of Pine Island will have a Good Friday service on March 29 at 7 p.m., 5363 Ave D in Bokeelia.

The church will also have a Hugh Adams pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 31. Please sign up and bring ingredients, or griddles, or a man to help. It would be helpful to have all the ingredients dropped off at the church by Good Friday service.

For information call 283-1737.

Matlacha Hookers: March 30

What is the Bag 'n Tag? Each year, The Matlacha Hookers host the Bag 'n Tag to raise monies for their "Hooked on Education" Scholarship program. It will be held at the Moose Lodge on Stringfellow Rd., on March 30, 2013. Shoppers can purchase a brown paper grocery bag for $5 and fill it with as many clothing items that they can fit in the bag. In the past, shoppers have garnered anywhere from $30 to $125 worth of items for their $5 investment. Hooker Hagglers will be on hand to assist shoppers interested in other items.

You can't shop on an empty stomach; so mark your calendar. Saturday, March 30, the Matlacha Hookers will host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Pine Island Moose Lodge on Stringfellow Road. You will not leave hungry!

Work up your appetite by cleaning out those closets, drawers, attic and garages. Consider donating those items of gently worn clothing, household items, appliances, tools and furniture to the Matlacha Hookers for this event.

Donation items can be dropped off at Trader's Hitching Post in Matlacha or Century 21 on Stringfellow Rd. during normal working hours. Donated items must be dropped off by March 22. Larger items can be dropped off on the day of the event before 8:30 a.m.

For more information, please call Sonya at 458-8757. Keep your eyes on the Eagle for more details.

Guided Kayak Nature Tour: April 2

The Useppa Island Archeological Kayak Tour, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., will feature a special kayak tour to this unusual, private island. Your guide is a Florida Master Naturalist that knows the ins and outs of the route through the grass flats and mangrove islands of Pine Island Sound and the history of the area. We will visit Useppa Island's museum, which details 10,000 years of human habitation on Useppa.

This island has a fascinating history, both ancient and modern. We will eat lunch at the historic Collier Inn and get to see the beautiful flora and interesting fauna of the island. The fee is $70 per person, which includes entry fee to the museum and parking, plus the cost of lunch. All equipment included. Reservations needed. 239 694-5513.

Golden Brush: April 9

The Golden Brush Painting Group of St. James City Civic Association will sponsor a workshop on April 9 from 1-4 p.m. with Joan Roberts. The medium is acrylic and oil and the topic is beach scene.

All workshops meet at SJCCA building on corner of 4th and Lemon Street. For information or to sign up call MaryAnn at 283-9337 or Melissa at 283-5203.

Golden Brush:

April 16

The Golden Brush Painting Group of St. James City Civic Association will sponsor a workshop on April 16 from 1-4 p.m. with Deborah Swetsch. The medium is silk scarf and the topic is chair yoga. This is the second workshop offered with Swetsch due to a waiting list.

All workshops meet at SJCCA building on corner of 4th and Lemon Street. For information or to sign up call MaryAnn at 283-9337 or Melissa at 283-5203.

Guided Kayak Nature Tour: April 19

The Mangrove Mazes of Matlacha Pass Kayak Tour with GAEA Guides - Guided Kayak Nature Tours will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Matlacha. Visit the Mangrove Mazes and Tunnels of Matlacha Pass, "Nature's Cathedrals." Lots of birds, fish and critters in these mysterious tunnels. Includes all equipment and a Florida Master Naturalist as your guide. The fee is $50 per person. Reservations needed. 239 694-5513.

Guided Kayak Nature Tour: April 26

The Matlacha Pass Backwaters Kayak Tour with GAEA Guides from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wander through some fascinating mangrove creeks, see many birds (white pelicans, may be here from the North), manatees and dolphin. Learn about the critters and the ecology of the estuary. Eat lunch on the water in this tranquil area. Fee is $50 per person includes all equipment and a Florida Master Naturalist Guide. Cape Coral. Call for your reservation at 239 694-5513.

Wounded Warrior Anglers: May 26

The Original "Redfish Poker" Fishing Championship will be held on Sunday, May26, with lines in the water no earlier than 7 a.m. and check in at the Olde

Fish House Marina no later than 4 p.m. The Captains Meeting will be at the Olde Fish House on Saturday, May 25, at 7 p.m. a member of the team and all kayak participants must be present.

Ultimately, "Redfish Poker" Fishing Champion-ship is played just like seven card stud poker with the best five card hand winning the championship, but with a unique twist. The unique twist is how the teams receive their cards to play the hand. Each team or individual will receive a playing card for each slot redfish between 18" to 27" with a maximum of seven cards for the team or individual. Where it becomes fun is that an 18" redfish that is typically around 2 1/4 lbs. is now equal to that 27' redfish about 8 lbs. This makes it more fun because the average angler has effectively had the playing field leveled to compete with local professional redfish tournament fishermen.

All fish will be photographed on an approved "Redfish Poker" fishing championship measuring board with each fish laid with the nose to the front and the belly against the bottom board and released in their home waters to rejoin their school. When the team or individual returns to the weigh masters station they must bring their camera or smartphone with the proper USB cable. One weigh master will download the pictures and then all of the team's pictures will be reviewed by two weigh masters to determine how many cards are warranted.